Gaming machine with feedback mechanism

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine includes a housing, in which a game sequence controller, at least one display device for displaying a gaming unit and at least one switching element, actuatable by a user and in contact with the game sequence controller, are arranged. At least one electromagnetic device coupled to the game sequence controller is associated with the switching element and, if the switching element is actuated, generates information that can be detected tactilely by the user in the form of a change of position and/or shape depending on the course of the game.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the U.S. national phase of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2013/064229 filed on Jul. 5, 2013, which claims priority to DEPatent Application No. 10 2012 107 132.2 filed on Aug. 3, 2012, thedisclosures of which are incorporated in their entirety by referenceherein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a gaming machine comprising a housing, in whichare arranged a game sequence controller, at least one display device fordisplaying a gaming device, and at least one switching element which isactuatable by a user and which is connected to the game sequencecontroller.

US 2004/0053671 A1 discloses a gaming machine comprising a housing, inwhich are arranged a game sequence controller, at least one displaydevice for displaying a gaming device, and at least one switchingelement which is actuatable by a user and which is connected to the gamesequence controller. A further gaming machine of this type is disclosedby WO 2007/117 418 A2, wherein the gaming machine has differentlyactuatable actuators which can be caused to vibrate depending on thecourse of the game. US 2011/030 416 A1 likewise discloses causing apushbutton switch to vibrate depending on a specific course of the game.Furthermore, US 2012/010533 416 A1 describes the driving of an elasticscreen in a manner haptically perceptible to a user.

Gaming machines used in the context of the invention are generallymoney-operated and known in a wide variety of embodiments. Such gamingmachines often have one or more gaming devices. They most commonlycomprise a symbol gaming device, in which symbol combinations indicatinga win or loss are displayed by means of revolving bodies behind readingwindows. The symbol gaming device can comprise cylinders and/or disks orcan be displayed on a screen as required. In different levels cash winsand/or points wins and/or special game wins with an increased chance ofwinning compared with the normal game or the like are given or held outin prospect.

Money-operated gaming machines usually have at least one supplementarygaming device which consists of a plurality of win-specific displaypanels and in which a game result achieved in the symbol gaming deviceis gambled or accumulated. Such a supplementary win gaming device may bea risk gaming device, for example, in which a decision is taken about anincrease or total loss of the winnings staked. Furthermore, in gamingmachines it is known to increase or decrease the winnings obtained bymeans of a gambling device embodied as a supplementary gaming device. Afurther gaming incentive with an additional possibility of winning is asupplementary gaming device in the form of a jackpot gaming device, inwhich an additional win can be initiated.

All the gaming devices mentioned above have symbols which, in specificcombinations represented on a win plan, for example, are associated witha win in the form of cash and/or points. Furthermore, particularly onmodern visual display units, background images can be displayed and,moreover, the game event is accompanied by music or special sequences ofsounds stored system-specifically in the gaming machine.

In one gaming machine known from the art, it is known to integrateswitching means, for example for influencing a game sequence, forselecting or for starting a game or the like, either as touch-sensitivesensor panels into a screen of the gaming machine or to accommodate themas switches having mechanical switching elements in a housing of thegaming machine, preferably in an operating panel comprising a pluralityof switches. It goes without saying that all the switching means areconnected to a gaming machine controller. In order to encourage a playerto actuate corresponding switches, for example depending on the courseof the game, the switching means, preferably the operating elementsthereof, in particular momentary contact switches, can be backlit,wherein the illumination elements are, of course, also activated ordeactivated by means of the gaming machine controller. It is furthermoreknown in this connection to illuminate an actuated switching means inorder to give the user of the gaming machine an indication of theswitching state of the switching means. Accordingly, the user of thegaming machine always acquires visual perceptible information withregard to implemented or possible switching states of a switching meansby virtue of the illumination thereof.

Furthermore, it is known to assign to the switching means latchingdevices, for example, which provide the user of the gaming machine witha haptically perceptible indication that the switching means has beenrotated or pressed.

The information conveyed to the user is comparatively simple and isgenerally limited to the notification of whether or not a switchingprocess took place.

DE 10 2007 002 933 A1 discloses an electronic gaming and/or bettingmachine comprising a display apparatus having a first and a secondscreen, on which a first screen display and a second screen display canbe displayed, and an operating panel for actuating the gaming and/orbetting machine. Provision is made of a changeover apparatus, which canbe actuated by a user by means of an input device, for changing over thefirst screen display from the first screen to the second screen, and thesecond screen display from the second screen to the first screen, and/orvice versa. The input device can have an actuation key for actuating thechangeover device by the pressing of a key, touch and/or proximity,wherein a vibration alert can be given to a game control key that isusually actuated by the user, said vibration alert being output upon thechangeover of screen displays.

Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,507 A discloses a computer-controlledgaming machine for visually impaired or blind users, which usesupdatable Braille pins to represent the symbols displayed by the gamingmachine, wherein the Braille pins are moved vertically and independentlyof one another in each case by means of an electromagnet. Moreover, theindication for starting the gaming machine is given by a specificposition of the Braille pins.

Furthermore, US 2010/016 0016 A1 describes a gaming machine comprisingat least one operating element which, upon the occurrence of aparticular game event, such as e.g. a change in the game rules, iscaused to vibrate in order to give the user a corresponding indication.The operating element is connected to an electromagnetic coil that actson an unbalanced mass in order to generate the vibration.

The invention is based on the object of providing a gaming machine ofthe type mentioned in the introduction which communicates with a userhaptically or tactilely perceptibly via a user interface.

The object is achieved according to the invention by means of thefeatures of claim 1.

The dependent claims present advantageous configurations of theinvention.

A gaming machine comprises a housing, in which are arranged a gamesequence controller, at least one display device for displaying a gamingdevice, and at least one switching element which is actuatable by auser, wherein the switching element is connected to the game sequencecontroller and the switching element embodied as a rotary switch, apressure switch, a pull switch or a pushbutton switch or as acombination of said switches is assigned at least one electromagneticdevice which is coupled to the game sequence controller and has at leastone coil, wherein the electromagnetic device generates, upon anactuation of the switching element, information that can be detectedtactilely by the user in the form of a change of position or change ofshape of the switching element depending on the course of the game withrespect to a switching process,

-   -   wherein for altering the position of an actuation element of the        switching element, the electromagnetic device comprises a        stepper motor or a magnetic bar—assigned to the switching        element—with an assigned coil, wherein the magnetic bar is        arranged both rotatably and axially displaceably in the coil, or    -   wherein for changing the shape of an actuation element of the        switching element, the actuation element is produced at least        regionally from an elastic material, wherein the magnetic bar of        the electromagnetic device for altering the shape of the        actuation element is embedded into the elastic material and        wherein the magnetic bar is arranged both rotatably and axially        displaceably in the coil of the electromagnetic device.

According to one development, the electromagnetic device devicegenerates, upon an actuation of the switching element, information thatcan be detected tactilely by a user in the form of a vibration or achange of an actuation resistance.

Besides the possibilities known heretofore from the prior art forconveying to the user of the gaming machine visually and/or acousticallyor tactilely perceptible information concerning the gaming machine,according to the invention it is also possible, when the switchingelement is engaged and/or actuated, to provide information dependent onthe course of the game for the user, for example a vibration, a variableactuation resistance or the like, wherein the electromagnetic devicewhich is embodied in particular as a vibration device, a brake, a motoror the like, communicates with the game sequence controller, which, atany time at which the gaming machine is active, irrespective of whetheror not a game is in progress, can bring about a corresponding tactilelyor haptically detectable action of the switching element by virtue ofthe electromagnetic device being driven. Since the electromagneticdevice can be driven depending on the course of the game, the useracquires tactilely detectable information, without having to averthis/her gaze from the actual game event. It goes without saying that itis possible to provide the different items of tactile information notonly separately, but also in combination. By way of example, a flexibleactuation element of the switching element can both be altered in shapeby elevations/depressions being produced, and be caused to oscillate bya vibrator. This type of information can be supported by an acousticallyperceptible noise, for example a humming sound or whistle, which isoutput at the same time as the driving of the electromagnetic device bya loudspeaker that is present anyway on the gaming machine.

The electromagnetic device brings about an alteration of the position ofan actuation element of the switching element. In a manner driven by thegame sequence controller, the actuation element of the switching elementcan be rotated or displaced by means of the stepper motor in anarbitrary or requirement-dependent direction in order either to inducethe user of the gaming machine to carry out a desirable action in aspecific game situation or, upon the actuation of the actuation element,to generate a force opposite to the actuation direction. The alterationof the position of the actuation element brought about by the gamesequence controller by means of the electromagnetic device can also becarried out for the instruction of a user outside the actual game, forexample in intermissions or in a demonstration mode.

In one configuration, the actuation element of the switching element isproduced at least regionally from an elastic material, preferably asilicone, and the electromagnetic device is embodied in such a way thatit alters the shape of the actuation element. If corresponding actuatorsare assigned to the electromagnetic device, the actuation element canbe, for example, depending on the game event, e.g. triangular,quadrilateral, round, spherical or the like, in order to make the useraware of a change in the game by means of the change of shape. Equally,the shape of the actuation element embodied as a flexible touchscreencan be altered by elevated and/or trough-like recessed regions beingcreated, for example, if an armature which is coupled to a coil andbears on or is fixed to the surface to be moved is moved.

Expediently, an actuation direction and/or position of the actuationelement can be detected by means of the electromagnetic device. For thispurpose, for example, Hall sensors can be provided or an electricalchange in the electromagnetic device, for example a stepper motor or anelectromagnetic coil, is correspondingly detected and evaluated, inwhich case the data can be detected and evaluated for example on thepart of the game sequence controller or a separate computer module.

The electromagnetic device embodied as a brake or a stepper motorexpediently brings about an increasing or decreasing resistance to anactuation of the switching element. The device embodied as a brake ormotor can act for example on a switching spindle of the switchingelement the in order to counteract the actuation direction. It goeswithout saying that it can also influence an actuation rocker of arocker switch on the carrier shaft journals thereof in the pivotingmovement. Furthermore, it is possible to move the actuation element bymeans of the stepper motor both in a supporting manner andautomatically. If the actuation of the switching element is monitored bymeans of a sensor, the data of which are present in an evaluatablemanner, for example at the game sequence controller, the switchingposition can also be processed as additional information and reportedback to the user in a tactilely detectable manner. In particular, it ispossible, in the case of a gaming machine embodied as cash-win gamingmachine, to generate an increasing or decreasing resistance to anactuation of the switching element if there is a risk of winning or riskof loss, in order also to make the user aware of a particular gamesituation by means of a palpable perception.

It goes without saying that all required sensors and actuators can alsobe assigned to the switching element embodied as a rotary switch, apressure switch, a pull switch or a pushbutton switch or as acombination of said switches, besides corresponding microcontrollers inorder to form a compact structural unit.

Preferably, the actuation element of the switching element is producedat least regionally from an elastic material, preferably a silicone, andthe electromagnetic device is embodied in such a way that it alters theshape of the actuation element. If corresponding actuators are assignedto the electromagnetic device, the actuation element can be, forexample, depending on the game event, e.g. triangular, rectangular,round, spherical or the like in order to make the user aware of a changein the game by means of the change of shape. Equally, the shape of theactuation element embodied as a flexible touchscreen can be altered byelevated and/or trough-like recessed regions being created, for example,if an armature which is coupled to a coil and bears on or is fixed tothe surface to be moved is moved.

Preferably, the switching element is embodied as a touch-sensitivesensor panel of a touchscreen, as a rotary switch, a pressure switch, apull switch or a pushbutton switch or as a combination of said switches.It goes without saying that all required sensors and actuators can alsobe assigned to the switching element besides correspondingmicrocontrollers in order to form a compact structural unit. Thetouchscreen can comprise a glass plate which is electrically conductivein a known manner, or a film-like OLED display.

In one configuration, the intensity of the vibration is variable. Thecorresponding control is carried out in a computer-controlled manner onthe part of the game sequence controller. It goes without saying thatthe vibration can be used in association with any arbitrary switchingelement, for example also with a sensor panel of a touchscreen, in orderto sensitize the user for a game situation. Expediently, the switchingelement or an actuation element and/or a sensor panel are/is mountedand/or embodied in an oscillating fashion. By way of example, thetouchscreen can be arranged with intermediate arrangement of elasticelements in the housing or a frame assigned to the housing, and at leastone vibrator coupled to the game sequence controller is arranged on thatside of the touchscreen which faces away from the user. It is alsopossible for the cross section of the touchscreen in the region of thesensor panel to be weakened in a targeted manner compared with the restof the cross section and for this thinner region to be caused tooscillate. A switching element or actuation element of a switch can bemounted with play or at least regionally can be embodied in an elasticfashion or mounted in a flexible fashion, in order that it can be causedto vibrate in a manner perceptible to the user.

According to one development, the vibration-generating electromagneticdevice comprises a permanent magnet and an excitable coil, wherein onepart of the device is arranged in a housing-fixed manner and the otherpart is arranged movably relative thereto on the component to be causedto vibrate. By way of example, the permanent magnet can be adhesivelybonded to the touchscreen.

In order also to provide visually perceptible information for the userdirectly at the switching element, drivable illumination means areassigned to the switching element. By way of example, so-called RGBlight emitting diodes can be provided, which, coupled directly orindirectly to the game sequence controller, change their color dependingon the course of the game or the like.

Further information can be communicated to the user in the form of heat.For this purpose, expediently, at least one thermoelement which iscontrollable by the game sequence controller is assigned to theswitching element. The thermoelement, via the switching means or theactuation element thereof, can locally emit heat which is perceptible tothe user when acting on the actuation element. If the actuation elementis part of a sliding controller or a corresponding sensor panel, forexample, then the temperature can increase with a sliding movementproceeding from a starting position.

In order furthermore to bring the game event palpably nearer to theuser, an electrical pump apparatus for discharging a spray from a supplycontainer is arranged within the housing, said electrical pump apparatusbeing drivable by the game sequence controller. Depending on the gameevent, with a particular fragrance, the user can obtain a kind of rewardand thus additional information.

Furthermore, as an alternative or in addition to the devices mentionedabove, an electrical fan drivable by the game sequence controller isarranged in the housing behind ventilation slots in such a way that anair flow can be generated in the direction of the user. Speed-conveyinginformation can be relayed to the user by the air flow.

It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those yetto be explained below can be used not only in the combinationrespectively indicated, but also in other combinations. The scope of theinvention is defined only by the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in greater detail below on the basis of aplurality of exemplary embodiments with reference to the associateddrawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a front view of a gamingmachine according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a switching element inaccordance with a detail II according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial illustration of the switching elementin an alternative configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic partial illustration of the switching elementin a further alternative configuration.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of an alternative gaming machine according tothe invention.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration of a switching element inaccordance with a detail VI according to FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a sectional illustration in accordance with the lineVII-VII according to FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic illustration of a switching element inaccordance with a detail VIII according to FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic illustration of a switching element inaccordance with a detail IX according to FIG. 5,

FIG. 10 shows a schematic illustration of the switching element inaccordance with FIG. 9 in an alternative configuration.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic illustration of an alternatively configuredswitching element.

The front of the housing 1 of the money-operated, computer-controlledgaming machine with a win opportunity has three screens 2 arranged oneabove another, the top screen 2 of which is used to present a gamingdevice 3 that is visually presented in the form of a symbol gamingdevice with three revolving bodies 4 in cylindrical form that arearranged next to one another. In a computer-controlled manner, a gamesequence controller generates an image corresponding to rotatingrevolving bodies 4 with circumferential symbols 5. Furthermore, in acomputer-controlled manner, reading windows 6 are presented on thescreen 2, which are used to display a randomly controlled game result,that is to say a specific combination of symbols 5. The presentation ofthe game result is accompanied by a display of the virtual revolvingbodies 4 that corresponds to stopped cylinders. From the displayedsymbols 5, the user can read off the game result, in particular alsowhether there is a win according to a displayable win plan.

The screen 2 in the middle of the gaming machine is embodied as atouchscreen 25 and is used to present supplementary gaming devices 9embodied as risk ladders 7, 8. The winnings attained in the gamingdevice 3 by achieving a symbol combination determined in a randomlycontrolled manner can be transferred under key or computer control as astake to one of the supplementary gaming devices 9 arranged on bothsides of the central screen 2. The left-hand risk ladder 7 comprises aplurality of display panels 10 presented one above another, which areallocated winnings values from 10 to 5 000 points in ascending order.The right-hand risk ladder 7 likewise has a plurality of display panels10 presented one above another, which are allocated winnings values from15 to 6 000 points in ascending order.

The winnings displayed in the risk ladder 7 or 8 are gambled by virtueof the fact that the next higher display panel 10 in relation to thevisually highlighted display panel 10 that displays the winnings ispresented so as to flash alternately with a total loss display panel 11labeled “0” that is placed below the risk ladder 7 or 8. When a key 12embodied as a momentary contact switch is actuated, said key beingarranged in a lower housing section 13, either the next higher winningsare attained or the staked winnings are lost, under random control. Thisprocess can be continued until the presented maximum winnings in termsof points are reached.

Between the two risk ladders 7, 8, a jackpot display 14 is provided,which is part of a jackpot device known to the person skilled in the artand serves for displaying points that are obtained depending on a gameresult achieved. Furthermore, a sensor panel 15 is implemented, which iscoupled to the game sequence controller and initiates a switchingprocess when a user brushes over it.

The bottom screen 2 is provided with displays 20 for credits, points,winnings and the like, with one of the displays 20 representing a pointsbank 16. When there is a credit in a display 20 as embodied as a creditdisplay 17, a specific sum of money from the credit display 17 isconverted into a specific number of points and added to the points bank16, from which a specific number of points are debited as a stake for agame in the gaming device 3 and to which points won in the gaming device3 are added. When a cash value is paid out, the points value in thepoints bank 16 is first of all converted into a credit in a prescribedtime interval, which credit is to be presented in the credit display 17.

Restart/stop keys embodied as momentary contact switches 21 are arrangedin the lower housing section 13 of the gaming machine. When said keysare acted on, that symbol 5 of the assigned revolving body 4 which isdisplayed in the gaming device 3 can be restarted or prematurelystopped, i.e. the display is influenced in such a way that the revolvingbodies 4 appear in a stationary or rotating form. Furthermore, a coininsertion slot 22 and a bank note feed slot 23 of a cash processingdevice (not illustrated in more specific detail) are provided. Moreover,a return key 24 is arranged next to the coin insertion slot 22, andactuation of said return key enables a credit displayed in the creditdisplay 20 to be withdrawn to a dispensing tray (not illustrated).

The key 12 and/or the momentary contact switch 21 and/or the sensorpanel 15 or the complete touchscreen 25 are/is embodied in each case asa switching element 26 to which an electromagnetic device 27 isassigned.

The electromagnetic device 27 is embodied as a brake, for example, whichvaries a force required for acting on the respective actuation element28 or, as vibration device 29 enables a corresponding haptic/tactileperceptibility of the switching process by a user.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switching element 26 is assigned drivableillumination means 30 for presenting a kind of bar display. If the userbrushes over the elongate sensor panel 15 of the switching element 26with his/her finger 31 for a game-dependent input, then said useracquires feedback about his/her action by means of the bar display, theposition of which varies, and/or a possible change in color of theillumination means 30 assigned to the bar display, and a vibrationgenerated by the vibration device 29 and perceived by the user withhis/her finger 31 resting on the screen 2.

For detecting a rotation direction or a change of rotation direction orfor generating a rotary movement, the electromagnetic device 27 of theswitching element 26 embodied as a rotary switch according to FIG. 3comprises a permanent magnet 32 in the center of an iron disk 33provided with an outer toothing, wherein the permanent magnet and theiron disk 33, which can also be embodied as a toothed shaft, are part ofa switching spindle which is coupled to an actuation element of theswitching element 26 and which can interact with switching contacts. Theperipheral circumference of the iron disk 33 is assigned two Hallsensors 34 spaced apart from one another, which are connected to amicrocontroller (not illustrated) of the switching element 26 andfurthermore to the superordinate game sequence controller of the gamingmachine. Furthermore, the outer circumference of the iron disk 33 isassigned a plurality of electromagnetic excitation units 35 forgenerating a traveling magnetic field, which are likewise coupled to themicrocontroller. An identification of the rotation direction is possibleon the basis of the signals from the Hall sensors 34, after acorresponding signal evaluation. The traveling magnetic field generatedby the excitation units 35 brings about a rotation of the iron disk 33and of the actuation element connected thereto, as a result of which atleast one corresponding switching process is initiated.

In accordance with FIG. 4, the electromagnetic device 27 of theswitching element 26 embodied as a rotary switch for detecting arotation direction or a change of rotation direction or for generating arotary movement is substantially composed of a rotary body 36 having aninner toothing, a motor 37 that interacts with the inner toothing, andsensors 38 that detect the toothing, wherein, of course, all thecomponents mentioned above can be accommodated jointly with amicrocontroller for signal evaluation and control in a switch housing.The sensors 38 assigned to the inner toothing detect a change ofrotation angle of the rotary body 36 and thus of the actuation elementof the switching element 26, said actuation element being connected tothe rotary body 36, from which it is possible to determine a position orchange in position of the rotary body 36 around a switching spindle. Themotor 37 can firstly drive the rotary body 36 in order to implement aswitching process, or it supplies information regarding the rotarymovement as a result of the current generated on account of a rotationof the rotary body 36 or of the actuation element of the switchingelement.

In an alternative configuration in accordance with FIG. 5, the housing 1of the money-operated, computer-controlled gaming machine comprises twoscreens 2 arranged one above the other as display devices 49, of whichthe top screen 2 is used to present game-related information and thebottom screen is used to present a gaming device. Inter alia, momentarycontact switches 21 and further switching elements 26 are arranged inthe housing section 13 below the bottom screen 2, which is embodied as atouchscreen 25.

In accordance with FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the touchscreen 25 is mountedresiliently in a housing-fixed circumferential frame 18, wherein anelastic material 19, for example an elastomeric plastic, preferably asilicone, is arranged between a conductively coated front plate 39 ofthe touchscreen 25, said front plate consisting of glass, for example,and a frame limb 40 engaging over the front plate 39 marginally. On thatside of the front plate 39 which faces away from the user, in a mannerdistributed over the elongate sensor panel 15 of the switching element26 a plurality of magnetic bars 41—comprising permanent magnets 50—ofthe electromagnetic device 27 embodied as vibration device 29 are fixedat the end side, by means of adhesive bonding for example, and extendinto electromagnetic coils 42, which are coupled to the game sequencecontroller for driving purposes. On account of the distribution of thevibration devices 29, which can also be installed in combination withthe illumination means 30 for the purpose of visually presenting the bardisplay, if appropriate with a color change, and on account of thedifferent intensities and/or frequencies with which oscillations aregenerated by the excitation of the coils 42, the user acquires feedbackabout his/her action with his/her finger 31 resting on the screen 2.

The travel of the magnetic bars 41 relative to the assigned coils 42 ofthe vibration devices can be approximately 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm, the coils42 being connected in series and driven by MOSFET transistor outputstages with an energy demand of approximately 1 W. The reaction time ofthe vibration device 29 is approximately 20 ms. At any rate theelectromagnetic field is so weak that no significant disturbances orimpairments are brought about, particularly with regard to pacemakers,hearing aids or the like.

The vibration device 29 can also comprise a motor having an imbalance,and the touchscreen 25 can consist of a film that is connected directlyto the vibration device 29. The vibration device 29 can also bring abouta regional oscillation of the touchscreen 25, by virtue of a targetedarrangement of the vibration devices 29 in the region of the respectiveswitching element 26 or a weakening of the cross section of the frontplate 39. In order to generate a temperature stimulus, the arrangementof a thermoelement 43 is also possible, said thermoelement changing itstemperature under game sequence control.

The switching element 26 according to FIG. 8 is embodied as arotary/pressure switch 44, the central spindle 45 of which is embodiedat least in sections as a magnetic bar 41 and is arranged both rotatablyand axially displaceably in the housing-fixed coil 42. A vibration ofthe actuation element 28 can be generated by the interaction of the coil42 with the magnetic bar 41. Within the pot-shaped actuation element 28a stepper motor 46 is arranged in a manner fixed to the housing, saidstepper motor interacting with magnet poles 47 in the interior of theactuation element 28 in order compulsorily to rotate the actuationelement 28 and thus the switching element 26 and to generate in this waya higher or lower resistance to a rotary movement by the user. A rotaryposition of the actuation element 28 can be derived from the position ofthe stepper motor 46 on a corresponding evaluation of the terminalvoltage thereof during the rotation by means of an evaluation unit,which can be integrated into the game sequence controller.Alternatively, it is possible to arrange a position sensor 48 at thespindle 45 of the actuation element 28, wherein the position sensor 48can comprise a pressure switching element.

According to FIG. 9, the actuation element 28 is produced from theelastic material 19 at least regionally, wherein an actuation plate 48produced from a relatively rigid material, also as a decorative element,can be provided. The magnetic bar 41 that engages into the coil 42 isembedded into the elastic material 18. The actuation element 28 ismounted marginally, wherein contacts that are not illustrated in morespecific detail are arranged circumferentially and in an axial directionin order that the rotary/pressure switch 44 is realized. A vibration canbe generated by means of high-frequency driving of the coil 42.Alternatively, it is also possible to displace the magnetic bar 41 forcompressing and thus changing the shape of the actuation element 28 inthe region of the elastic material 19.

In accordance with FIG. 10, the actuation element 28 explained above isadditionally provided with the stepper motor 46, which is arranged onthe one hand in a manner fixed to the housing and on the other hand in amanner interacting with the spindle 45 in order to rotate the actuationelement 28, that is to say alter the position thereof, or to increasethe resistance during rotation, by virtue of the fact that said motorcounteracts the rotation, or to reduce the resistance that can be felt,by virtue of the fact that said motor has a supporting action.

The switching element 26 according to FIG. 11 comprises the lever-typeactuation element 28, which is pivotable in a pivoting bearing 51 in thehousing 1 and interacts with the switching contacts (not illustrated).The electromagnetic device 27 acts on the actuation element 28, andincreases or decreases the pivoting resistance of the actuation element28 or displaces the actuation element 28 in one direction or the other,if the coil 42 is correspondingly energized and the magnetic bar 41,which at one end extends into the coil 42 and at the other end iscoupled to the actuation element 28, is displaced. The vibration device29 comprising a motor having an imbalance is arranged on the actuationelement 28, which is mounted with play, said vibration device causingthe actuation element 28 to oscillate.

It goes without saying that corresponding switching contacts areassigned to the switching element 26, and the electromagnetic device isconnected both to a voltage source and to the gaming machine controllerby means of corresponding electrical conductors which are notillustrated for reasons of clarity.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1. Housing-   2. Screen-   3. Gaming device-   4. Revolving body-   5. Symbol-   6. Reading window-   7. Risk ladder-   8. Risk ladder-   9. Supplementary gaming device-   10. Display panel-   11. Total loss display panel-   12. Key-   13. Housing section-   14. Jackpot display-   15. Sensor panel-   16. Points bank-   17. Credit display-   18. Frame-   19. Material-   20. Display-   21. Momentary contact switch-   22. Coin insertion slot-   23. Bank note feed slot-   24. Return key-   25. Touchscreen-   26. Switching element-   27. Device-   28. Actuation element-   29. Vibration device-   30. Illumination means-   31. Finger-   32. Permanent magnet-   33. Iron disk-   34. Hall sensor-   35. Excitation unit-   36. Rotary body-   37. Motor-   38. Sensor-   39. Front plate-   40. Frame limb-   41. Magnetic bar-   42. Coil-   43. Thermoelement-   44. Rotary/pressure switch-   45. Spindle-   46. Stepper motor-   47. Magnet pole-   48. Actuation plate-   49. Display device-   50. Permanent magnet-   51. Pivoting bearing

The invention claimed is:
 1. A gaming machine comprising a housing, inwhich are arranged a game sequence controller, at least one displaydevice for displaying a gaming device, and at least one switchingelement which is actuatable by a user, wherein the switching element isconnected to the game sequence controller, and the at least oneswitching element is embodied as a rotary switch, a pressure switch, apull switch or a pushbutton switch or as a combination of said switchesis assigned at least one electromagnetic device which is coupled to thegame sequence controller and has at least one coil and a magnetic bar,wherein the electromagnetic device generates, upon an actuation of theswitching element, information that can be detected tactilely by theuser in the form of a change of position and change of shape of theswitching element depending on the course of the game with respect to aswitching process, wherein for changing the position and shape of anactuation element of the switching element, the actuation element isproduced at least regionally from an elastic material, wherein themagnetic bar of the electromagnetic device for altering the shape of theactuation element is embedded into the elastic material and wherein themagnetic bar is arranged both rotatably and axially displaceably in thecoil of the electromagnetic device.
 2. The gaming machine as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the electromagnetic device generates, upon an actuationof the at least one switching element, information that can be detectedtactilely by a user in the form of a vibration or a change of anactuation resistance.
 3. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 2,wherein the intensity of the vibration is variable.
 4. The gamingmachine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vibration-generatingelectromagnetic device comprises a permanent magnet and an excitablecoil, wherein one part of the device is arranged in a housing-fixedmanner and the other part is arranged movably relative thereto on thecomponent to be caused to vibrate.
 5. The gaming machine as claimed inclaim 1, wherein an actuation direction and/or position of the actuationelement can be detected by means of the electromagnetic device.
 6. Thegaming machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic deviceembodied as a stepper motor or a brake brings about an increasing ordecreasing resistance to an actuation of the at least one switchingelement.
 7. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein theactuation element of the switching element is produced at leastregionally from a silicone.
 8. The gaming machine as claimed in claim 1,wherein the at least one switching element or the actuation element ismounted or embodied in an oscillating fashion.
 9. The gaming machine asclaimed in claim 1, wherein drivable illumination means are assigned tothe at least one switching element.